Olympic Games - Ancient History Encyclopedia Olympic Games by Mark Cartwright published on 23 May 2013 The ancient Olympic Games were a sporting event held every four years at the sacred site of Olympia , in the western Peloponnese , in honour of Zeus , the supreme god of Greek religion . Involving participants and spectators from all over Greece and even beyond, the Games were the most important cultural event in ancient Greece and were held from 776 BCE to 393 CE, a run of 293 consecutive Olympiads. Origins of the Games Sporting events were originally associated with funeral rituals, particularly those of heroes and the fallen in battle , for example, the games for Patroklos in Homer ’s Iliad. At Olympia, in particular, some mythological accounts credit Zeus with beginning the Games to celebrate his victory over Kronos whilst other accounts state the hero Pelops began them in honour of Oinomaos. In any case, sport, a healthy body and the competitive spirit were a large part of Greek education and so it is hardly surprising that organised athletic competitions would at some point be created, as they had been in the earlier Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations.

Remove Ads Advertisement The first Olympics were held from 776 BCE at the first full moon after the summer solstice (around the middle of July) in honour of Zeus. The winner of the first and only event, the stadion foot-race was Koroibos of Elis and from then on every victor was recorded and each Olympiad named after them, thus giving us the first accurate chronology of the ancient Greek world. An Olympiad was not only the name of the event itself but also of the period between games. During a three month pan - Hellenic truce, athletes and as many as 40,000 spectators came from all over Greece to participate in the Games at Olympia. Later, other games would be organised at other sacred sites such as Delphi , Isthmia and Nemea but the Olympian Games would remain the most prestigious. The Games started with a procession which went from the host town of Elis to Olympia, led by the Hellanodikai (judges) and on arrival at Olympia all athletes and officials swore an oath to follow the established rules of the competitions and to compete with honour and respect.

The most important religious ceremony of the event was the sacrifice of 100 oxen, known as the hecatomb, at the altar of Zeus, carried out when the sporting events were over. The Spectators Heralds (spondophoroi) were sent from Elis to advertise the coming of the Games across Greece. Spectators came from not only the Greek mainland but also the islands, Ionia and Magna Graecia . To facilitate the movement of spectators and athletes and in respect of the religious importance of the Games a sacred truce (ekecheiria) was called across Greece. Initially, the truce was for one month but in later centuries it was extended to three. No wars were permitted, no arms could be carried in the territory of Elis and no hindrance was to be given to any spectator, athlete or theoriai - (the official missions representing particular cities ) travelling to the games from wherever they came from and whichever territory they had to cross. Remove Ads Advertisement The site of Olympia must have been positively buzzing during a Games with mass crowds of excited spectators staying in make-shift camp sites (only later was accommodation provided for the visitors) and admiring the masses of fine statues and buildings at the site.

Food vendors, craftsmen, musicians, poets and philosophers took full advantage of the crowds to publicise their wares or ideas. Just how many spectators attended each Games is unknown but we do know that around 45,000 spectators consisting of men, slaves and foreigners sat and watched from the embankments of the stadium which hosted the main events. Spectators actively participated in the events through their boisterous support of the athletes and after each event they showered flowers and laurel leaves on the victors. Women were not permitted to participate in or watch the events although young girls were allowed in the crowd. There was a single exception to this rule, the priestess of Demeter Chamyne. A famous breach of the men only rule was the case of Kallipateira. She had trained her son Peisirodos and when he won his race his mother, celebrating a little too exuberantly in the crowd, loosened her clothes and revealed her sex. She escaped the prescribed punishment of the death penalty because she came from a family of great Olympic victors but from then on all trainers had to be naked - like the athletes - to avoid such an occurrence in the future.

The Athletes Who of men today has been adorned with so many petals and myrtles and crowns of rose thanks to his victory in the Games? Simonides' ode to Astylos Athletes trained under the watchful eye of a professional trainer (gymnastes) or physical trainer (paidotribes) who knew how to best develop particular muscles, the best diet and the correct amount of exercises to be done. Trainers were often thanked by their more successful athletes by the dedication of a statue of them at the site. Athletes also had an aleiptes who rubbed them down with oil and massaged them both before exercising and after. Remove Ads Advertisement The athletes competed naked, probably for complete freedom of movement. Events were open to all free Greek males and the list of victors illustrates just how pan-Hellenic the Games were with athletes coming from all parts of Greece and in Roman times the no-foreigner rule for athletes was relaxed. Victors were those who beat all other competitors. There are practically no records of times and distances achieved by victorious athletes as these were simply not considered important, the idea was to be first amongst the best, not to beat records.

The Main Event: The Stadion For the first 12 Olympics the stadion foot-race was the only event and it remained the most prestigious event throughout the history of the Games. The race was ran over one length (a stadion) of the stadium track, 600 ancient feet or 192 m and preliminary heats were held with heat winners going into the final. Athletes were grouped by lot and in the interest of fairness this was also the way pairings were matched in the other events. The eventual winner of the stadion would even give his name to that particular Games and so be remembered for all time. Other Events Over time other events were added to the Games to bring the total programme to 18 events spread over five days: diaulos - the two stadium lengths foot-race, added in 724 BCE. dolichos - longer foot-races 7 to 20 stadium lengths, added in 720 BCE. wrestling - added in 708 BCE. Competitors had to throw their opponent to the ground three times to gain victory. pentathlon - also added in 708 BCE.

All done in a single day, the event order was: jumping (in a soft soil pit using hand-weights or halteres and accompanied to music), discuss (in stone, iron or bronze), stadion, javelin (in wood and thrown using a leather thong), and wrestling. Just how an athlete won the overall event is unclear, three event victories may have guaranteed overall victory. boxing - added in 688 BCE. Athletes wore straps of leather (himantes) around their hands, initially as protection but they evolved into destructive weapons with metal pieces added. Rules were limited to no low-blows and no holding. Serious injuries were common and deaths not unknown. tethrippon - the four-horse chariot race added in 680 BCE, run over ten or twelve circuits of the hippodrome. A version using foals over 8 circuits was added in 384 BCE. keles - a horse race added in 648 BCE and run over 6 cicuits. A version for foals was added in 256 BCE. pankration - a mix of boxing and wrestling also added in 648 BCE.

The pankration was a brutal event and the only moves not allowed were biting and gouging, although competitors did not wear the damaging leather thongs of the boxers. hoplitodromos - the race in hoplite armour (helmet, shield and spear) between 2 and 4 stadium lengths was added in 520 BCE and was usually the last event of the Games. apene - a race with chariots pulled by two mules, added in 500 BCE (dropped from 444 BCE). kalpe - a trotting horse race for mares, added in 496 BCE (dropped from 444 BCE). synoris - the two-horse chariot race run over eight circuits of the hippodrome, added in 408 BCE. A version using foals over three circuits was added in 268 BCE. competitions for trumpeters and heralds - added in 396 BCE. This was held on the first day and the winners - those whose sound carried the furthest - were also given the honour of announcing the victors on the final day at the official prize-giving event.

Rules & Judges Athletes had to arrive at Olympia one month before the Games for training and, further, they had to declare that they had been in training for at least ten months. Non-Greeks, slaves, murderers, those convicted of defiling temples and all those who had not respected the truce were excluded from participating. Indeed, cities could be included in the latter category, for example, Sparta in 420 BCE. The events were supervised by trained judges from Elis, the Hellanodikai (or agonothetai) who also had various assistants such as the alytai (police officers). For the first 49 Olympics there was only one judge but he was joined by others to reach a peak of twelve, distributed amongst the various events. Originally, the office was hereditary and for life but later judges were selected from Elis by lot. The Hellanodikai had the power to disqualify and fine athletes for any infringement of the rules and, wearing their purple cloaks, they were given special seats of honour in the stadium.

The decisions of the Hellanodikai could never be revoked but the judges were themselves subject to judgment from a council of elders and should an athlete successfully appeal, the judge concerned could be fined. Rules were very rarely broken and when they were penalties were imposed ranging from exclusion and fines to flogging. Fines were paid both to the sanctuary and the wronged athlete. If an offender did not pay the fine then the city he represented had to or else be excluded from the next Games. Revenue from fines was in part used to erect statues of Zeus known as zanes and a number of the bases of these statues can still be seen at the site today. Prizes The Hellanodikai also gave out the victory crown (kotinos) of wild olive leaves and an olive branch cut from the scared tree (Kallistephanos) to each event winner. The olive was significant because the trees of Olympia were believed to have been originally planted by Hercules . Another prize could be a red woollen ribbon which was worn on the upper arm or around the head, especially for chariot racers as it was the horse owner who actually received the olive crown. Victors were welcomed back to their home towns as heroes after the Games.

Typically entering the city in a procession where they rode a four-horse chariot victors had huge banquets held in their honour and they could receive additional benefits such as exemption from tax and invitations to join the political elite. Cities also received prestige from victories at the Games and for this reason they sometimes offered financial incentives for athletes such as Solon ’s 500 drachmas prize (a substantial sum considering one sheep cost one drachma at the time). However, the real prize for athletes was glory, fame and, in a very real sense, historical immortality. This was achieved through renown whilst still alive but was perpetuated after death via victor’s lists, personal statues and victory odes written in the victor’s honour. Famous Victors There were many great athletes who won fame and glory in multiple Games. Kroton from southern Italy won three consecutive stadion races from 488 to 480 BCE. Phanas of Pellene managed to win three events in the Olympics of 521 BCE - the stadion, diaulos and the race in armour.

Leonidas of Rhodes went even better and managed to win all three events in four consecutive Olympics between 164 and 152 BCE. A feat almost matched by Hermogenes of Xanthos, known as ‘the horse’ who won eight running events over three Olympics between 81 and 89 CE. Milon of Kroton won the wrestling competition five times from 532 to 516 BCE and the runner Astylos of Kroton won six crowns across the three Olympics of 488, 484 and 480 BCE. Finally, Herodoros of Megara won an incredible ten consecutive trumpet competitions from 328 to 292 BCE. The Games and their prestige also attracted famous competitors from outside the sporting world. The great Athenian general and statesman Alcibiades won three chariot races in 416 BCE. Philip II of Macedon won the horse race in 356 BCE and repeated his winning streak in the chariot races of the 352 and 348 BCE Games. Also, Roman emperor Nero famously won every event he entered in 65 CE.

These powerful political leaders even sought to milk the prestige of their successes at Olympia by minting coins to commemorate their victories. The first woman to win the crown of victory was Kyniska in 392 BCE. Although women were not permitted to compete, they could own horses and it was the owner who won the olive crown prize. Many other women went on to emulate Kyniska and Spartan women, in particular, enjoyed a high reputation in the equestrian events at Olympia. End of the Games The Games continued through the Hellenistic period with more buildings added to the site, greater comforts offered for the spectators and an increase in the professionalism and event specialisation of the athletes. In Roman times, although there were some changes to tradition such as Sulla ’s moving of the 80 BCE Games to Rome , the Games continued to be popular and their prestige increased under hellenophile emperors such as Hadrian . However, it was Emperor Theodosios who finally decreed that all cult practices, including Games, be stopped and the final Olympics was held in 393 CE after a run of 293 Olympics over more than a millennium. About the Author Science Olympiad Science Olympiad Happy Holidays from Science Olympiad!

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B/C Posted on Facebook 2016 National Tournament Offiical Results 2016 National Tournament page for Science Olympiad Science Olympiad at the 2016 White House Science Fair with President Obama Check out this ArcelorMittal Video : Employee mentoring leads to the next generation of the STEM workforce; highlights from Whiting Invitational Great Cover Story on Science Olympiad in Rock & Gem Magazine Check our our great NSTA in Nashville Science Olympiad sessions The Olympics Games Greece - History of the Olympics The History of the Olympic Games The Birth of the Olympic Games The first recorded Olympic Games took place in Olympia, in the beautiful region of Elias, in 776 BC. There is evidence however, to support the claim that the games had been taking place a lot earlier than 776 BC, but these were not as organised or held every four years, as the 776 BC games had been. The name of each Olympiad was named after the competitor of the stadium race, which was the favourite of all the events. The first Olympiad was named Koroibos of Elias, as he was the winner of the stadium race in 776 BC.

Olympia was, and still is, a beautiful place, and many temples and statues were built. These were all built in dedication to Zeus, the Father of all Gods. Olympia also became a centre for religion in the Mycenaean period. The temples that were built in Olympia were all for a reason, and were of importance. The temple of Zeus, had as its centrepiece, a gold and ivory statue of Zeus. Standing at about 12 meters in height, the statue was very impressive. The statue, sculptured by Phidias, was seen as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Also near to the temple of Zeus, was the wild olive tree from which the wreath crowns were made and presented to the winners of the events. Legend has it, this tree was planted by Herakles (Hercules). In the beginning, the games consisted of only one event, the running of the stadium, and lasted for just one day. However, towards the 5th century, the games were extended to five days, and more events were also added.

From 729 BC the participants of the games had to compete in the nude in order to prevent any cheating, and also in the interest of safety. Originally, only Greeks born males, who had not committed murder or heresy, where allowed to take part in the games. However, later on, Romans were also permitted to take part. Women were forbidden to compete, and were even banned from entering the stadium to watch the games. The Importance of the Olympic Games The Olympic Games were especially important to the Greeks, and it was the games that unified national, spiritual and racial beliefs. The ancient Greeks were also very competitive people, and all strived to be the best. Winning an Olympic event was the highest honour people could achieve. The fact that the winners were presented with a simple olive wreath crown also illustrates the fact that the participants taking part were competing for themselves, and not any material rewards. The ancient games were also held in high regard for social reasons, as well as the athletic side. Poets and writers were given the chance to present their works to a large audience, members of different city-states would have the chance to meet and talk with members of other city-states.

Leaders of the city-states would also come to discuss any personal differences that they were having with each other. The games were seen as a festival, and it was not acceptable for any negative issues or situations to occur during this time. Even during times of war and battle, and differences were put aside, so that the Olympics would be conducted in a peaceful manner. Even the games of 480 BC took place in the middle of the Persian War. It is from this ideal that the Olympic Truce was formed. During the times of the Olympic games, messengers were sent all over the Greek world with details of the dates of the games, and called for a truce between any parties conducting in any hostile activities. There was also a ban in any death penalties being carried out during this time. The Demise of the Olympic Games In 146 AD when most of Greece fell under Roman rule, the value of the Olympic games started to diminish. The games though still continued, and were enjoyed by those who attended. However, in 394 AD the last games were held. Under the orders of Emperor Theodosius I, the games were abolished. This was because the taking part in any worshipping of idols was forbidden.

The Olympic games would have to wait at least 1500 years before they were revived again. The Modern Olympic Games It wasn't until after efforts by French Baron Pierre De Coubertin and the Greek Dimitrios Vikelas that the games were brought back to life after nearly 1500 years in the wilderness. De Doubertin believed that sport was a very strong power that could inspire a feeling of unity and peace among the many nations of the world. He believed that this desire could be brought about with the revival of the Olympic Games. After an unsuccessful attempt at reviving the games, he finally achieved his ambition. In 1894 at an international congress, that was actually devised for the study of amateur sports, he voiced his view on the revival of the Olympic Games, and was delighted when the other countries participating in the congress agreed with him. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded that year. Held in Athens in 1896 at the Panatheniac Stadium, the games heralded a welcomed return to the original beliefs and virtues of the ancient games. With competitors from 14 nations, the games commenced on April 6th and came to a climax on 15th April.

There were 43 events, which were competed in by 245 athletes, all of whom were male. Probably the biggest cheer of the 1896 Olympics was when a Greek Shepard, Spiridon Louis, was victorious in the most popular of all events, the marathon. The athletes from the United States were also big winners in these games, winning 9 events. What is even more remarkable regarding this is that their Olympic squad barely made it to Athens in time to compete. The Olympics have taken place every four years, since the first games in 1896. However, even the ideals of the Olympic Truce could not prevent the games being cancelled during the first and second world wars. The games cancelled were the 1916 Olympics, due to be held in Berlin, the 1940 games to be held in Tokyo and the 1944 games to be held in Helsinki. The Winter Olympic Games were introduced in 1924, and also took place every four years. However, it wasn't until 1992 that it was decided that the Olympic and Winter Olympic games would not take place in the same calendar year.

The Winter Games were moved forward two years to 1994, and would continue to take place at four-year intervals. Since the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, the games have continued to grow throughout the years and more and more nations have been taking part, as well as more events being included. During the 1896 games, 14 nations took part. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 199 nations took part. In 1896 there were 245 athletes (all male), in 2000 there were 10,651 (4069 women and 6582 men). And in 1896 there were 43 events, compared to the 300 events at the 2000 Olympics. The 2004 Athens Olympics The Athens 2004 Olympic Games took place amongst much scepticism and criticism whereby many believed that the Games would not be a success, that Athens was far too behind in it's schedule, and that the whole thing would be a shambles.

The Olympic Games of Athens were a huge success, and showed to the world, that the Greeks, CAN achieve what they set out to do. The Athens Games showed that, though the world we live in today is much different from how it was over 100 years ago when the first Modern Olympic Games were held here in Athens, people from all corners of the globe, can come together as one, and unite under the flag of sport and peace. The Athens 2004 Games were a showpiece to the world, of the modern city of Athens, and the continuous growth of Greece as a whole. Greece can no longer be seen as country living in it's past, when it's present and future holds so much. With some of the most modern sporting facilities and stadiums in the world, Athens delivered on it's promise to host one of the most exciting, memorable and safe Games in recent years. The Greeks have shown that their hospitality and warmth still burns strong, and that everybody is treated as equal. During the Athens Games, areas such as Plaka and Monastiraki have been filled with people from all nationalities and all walks of life. The world came to Greece, and Greece welcomed the world to it's doorstep.

The Olympic Games came home, and did so in style. Around Greece Travel and Hotel Guide to Greece Popular Destinations in Greece THE PERIOD OF THE RULE OF THE JUDGES OVER ISRAEL THE AGE OF THE JUDGES OF ISRAEL Part I: THE RULE OF THE JUDGES OF ISRAEL Biblical Period 5  Previous  Salvation History Study List  Next Loving Father, In the period of the Judges You gave Your Covenant people leaders to guide and protect the infant nation of Israel.ï¿½ When the Israelites were strong in their faith their leaders were also strong but as the time passed and the memories of the miracles of the Exodus experience and the conquest of Canaan dimmed the people began to grow lax in their covenant obligations and their leaders reflected their lack of faith and commitment.ï¿½ The lesson for us today is that our leaders also reflect our moral and spiritual values.ï¿½ Give us, O Lord, the spiritual and moral strength to elevate our nation in our choice of leadership, and sent Your Holy Spirit to guide us in this today's lesson.ï¿½ We pray in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"The people served Yahweh throughout the lifetime of Joshua and throughout the lifetime of those elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the great deeds which Yahweh had done for the sake of Israel. [..] And when that whole generation had been gathered to its ancestors, another generation followed it which knew neither Yahweh nor the deeds which he had done for the sake of Israel." Judges 2:7-10 The Readings for Biblical Period #5: THE JUDGES OF ISRAEL The End of the Conquest Judges 1:1-2:23 1 Samuel 1:1-28; 7:1-17 THE BOOK OF JUDGES The Book of the Judges is the second of the historic books of the Old Testament.

ï¿½The Hebrew title is Sopetim [Shophetim], which is usually translated "judges" but the Hebrew word sopet not only caries the idea of administrating and maintaining justice but also has the meaning of "liberator" or "deliverer."ï¿½ The Judges of Israel in this period of Salvation History not only deliver the people from oppression but the also rule over them, administering justice as Yahweh's representatives.ï¿½ It is Yahweh, the One True God, who is the true ruler of the people of Israel.ï¿½ This book covers the period of Israelite history that falls between the settlement of Israel in the Promised Land of Canaan and the establishment a monarchy over a united Israel. SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF JUDGES BIBLICAL PERIOD c.1300 c.1200 1100 1047 1000 930 722 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Conquest of --------- c.

Period of the Judges -------------------------- Saul David Rehoboam= Assyria Canaan / conquers Civil War conquers Ruth and Boaz Jerusalem Israel The author of the book is anonymous however Jewish tradition attributes the great prophet/judge Samuel as the author of this sacred text.ï¿½ Several statements in the text help to date the period of the book, which covers approximately 350 ?

410 years: Passages in see Judges 18:31; 20:27 indicates that the book was written after the Ark of the Covenant was removed from Shiloh [also see 1Samuel 4:3-11].ï¿½ The repeated phrase "In those days there was no king in Israel" [see 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25] indicates that the book was written sometime after the establishment of the monarchy.ï¿½ The information that the Jebusites were "living in Jerusalem, the sons of Benjamin did not dispossess them, and the Jebusites have been living in Jerusalem with the sons of Benjamin ever since" [Judges 1:21] indicates the book was written prior to circa 1000BC when King David captured Jerusalem [2 Samuel 5:5-9].

The events covered in this book ranges from a period of approximately 1380BC to 1045BC.ï¿½ Some of the periods of leadership of the 12 "Judges" apparently overlap because not all of them ruled over the entire land of Israel.ï¿½ Traditionally the major judges are Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson.ï¿½ The minor judges are Shamagar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, and Elon.ï¿½ Abimelech is not numbered as a judge but as a son of a Judge and as a usurper who ruled unjustly. The record of the rule of the Judges over Israel describes cycles of apostasy, oppression by other peoples, and deliverance under the leadership of God's Judges.ï¿½ Although there are 12 judges, they do not match the 12 tribes of Israel.ï¿½ The tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Levi have no judges attached to them chronicled in this book.

Please read Judges 1:1-2:23: The End of the Conquest Even though Joshua ruled Israel wisely and faithfully, the 12 tribes were not able to subdue all of Canaan in his lifetime. Question: What tribe assists Judah in their conquest of the land? Answer: Simeon.ï¿½ Judah is the largest of the 12 tribes.ï¿½ The name in Hebrew is Yehudah, meaning "Yahweh's people". Question: In Judges 1:8 the tribe of Judah successfully conquers Jerusalem but was Judah able to keep the city?ï¿½ See Judges 1:21 and 2 Samuel 4:3-11 & 5:6-9. Answer: No. Later the tribe of Benjamin was also unsuccessful in taking Jerusalem.ï¿½ Jerusalem would not be conquered until King David's assault in the book of 2 Samuel 5:6-9. The Tribe of Judah was successful in conquering the highlands and pasture lands of Southern Canaan, with the exception of Jerusalem, but the tribe was unsuccessful in driving out the people of the plain [Judges 1:19].

The Philistines ruled the fertile plain [Shephelah in Hebrew], an intermediate region between the higher mountains to the east and the coastal plain to the west. Question: Why was Judah unable to drive out the Philistines? Answer: They had iron technology which gave them a considerable military advantage.ï¿½ Israel was still using Bronze Age weapons.ï¿½ The Philistines were one of the "Sea Peoples" who appeared at the end of the Late Bronze Age.ï¿½ Archaeologists believe these people are related to the Dorian Greeks and were forced to migrate in a time of great political and social upheaval in mainland Greece and the islands of the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea [i.e. Crete].ï¿½ Egyptian documents specifically mention the problems caused by the migration of the "Sea Peoples" during this time. Instead of the victories ascribed to Judah in the first part of the chapter, the second part [Judges 1:27-36] lists a series of unsuccessful attempts by the Northern tribes to conquer the land.

Please read Judges 2:11-23: Israel Falls into Sin -- God Raises up the Judges The Angel of Yahweh went up from Gilgal.ï¿½ In Hebrew gilgal means "circle of stones".ï¿½ This name appears to be given to more than one place in Scripture but this passage is probably referring to site mentioned in Joshua 4:19 and 5:9. Question: What was the significance of this site in the Book of Joshua?ï¿½ See Joshua 4:19; 5:9, and 10. Answer: In the beginning of the Conquest was the base of operations of Joshua where a circle of 12 commemorative stones was set up.ï¿½ It was where the sons of Israel were circumcised when they first entered the Land, and it was where the Passover was celebrated, which means the Tabernacle of Yahweh rested there. Question: From Gilgal were does the Angel of Yahweh go and why is this site significant?

Answer: He goes from the site of the first camp of the conquest, near Jericho, to the site at Bethel ="house of God", about 14 miles north of Jerusalem.ï¿½ This is the site where Abraham built an altar after God's first 3-fold promise [Genesis 12:8].ï¿½ It is the site where Jacob/Israel erected a standing stone after God appeared to him in the dream of the ladder to ascending and descending angels where Yahweh made the same covenant promises to Jacob that He had made to Abraham and Isaac before Jacob leaves the Promised Land for Haran [in Genesis 28:10-22].ï¿½ And it is in Genesis 35:1-13, after Jacob's return to Canaan that Yahweh commands Jacob/Israel to build an altar and repeats the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac. Question: What is the significance of mentioning these 2 sites in connection with the Angel of Yahweh? Answer: God Himself in visible form is reminding Israel of the Covenant promises made to their "fathers", which He kept when He brought Israel into the Land under the leadership of Joshua.

Question: After reminding Israel of His faithfulness, what commands does Yahweh remind them were their covenant obligations in taking the Land? Answer: He would never break His covenant with them if they were obedient in: making no covenant with the inhabitants of the Land destroy their altars Question: Did Israel keep these covenant obligations?ï¿½ If not what are the consequences? See Deuteronomy 28:15-46. Answer: Yahweh will not drive out these nations as He had intended to do for His people, and Israel will be oppressed by them. Question: Why did Yahweh tell Israel He would dispossess these people in favor of Israel?ï¿½ Was it because of Israel's holiness?ï¿½ See Deuteronomy 9:4-6 Answer: Not because of Israel's holiness but because of Canaanite wickedness. Question: In summary, what was it that Yahweh asked of Israel in her part of the covenant obligations?

See Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Answer: Love expressed in willing obedience.ï¿½ The circumcision of the flesh is only a visible sign of the spiritual obligation of a circumcised heart that is committed only to Yahweh. The people began to wail and bemoan their fate but they do not repent.ï¿½ A legitimate act of contrition must be followed by action and not just sentiment.ï¿½ The people made sacrifices and named the place Bochim, which in Hebrew means "weeping". Question: What happened to the 3rd generation after the Exodus?ï¿½ See 2:10-13. Answer: The 3rd generation lapsed into infidelity [Baal worship], forgetting the works and faithfulness of God. And yet God in His faithfulness makes provision for the people and will raise up men and women to rescues Israel from the hands of their oppressors. Judges 3:7-11; 15-31: Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar Serve Israel The majority of the accounts of the 6 major and 6 minor Judges follow the same 7-part pattern or formula.

Here is an example from the account of Othniel in Judges 3:7-11: Announcement of wrongdoing: 3:7 Statement of God's response: 3:8a Notice of how long Israel suffered: 3:8b Reference to Israel "crying out": 3:9a God "raises up" a deliverer: 3:9b How deliverance is achieved: 3:10 Length of Israel's rest from conflict: 3:11 THE 12 JUDGES OF ISRAEL: #1.

Othniel: Joshua 15:16-19; Judges 1:11-15;3:1-11; 1Chronicles 4:13 Major Events Not given Please read Judges 4:1-5:3: Deborah and Barak defeat Sisera Deborah, whose name in Hebrew means "bee" was the wife of Lappidoth [see Judges 4:4; 5:31], of the tribe of Ephraim who lived in the hill country of Ephraim between Ramah [the home of the prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 7:17] and Bethel. Question: In addition to being the only woman judge named in Scripture what other distinction did Deborah have, not shared by the other 11 judges?ï¿½ See Judges 4:4 Answer: Deborah is a prophetess.ï¿½ Question: How many women are named as Prophetesses in Scripture?

Answer: There are only 7 women prophetesses named in Scripture: Miriam [Exodus 15:20]; Deborah [Judges 4:4]; the wife of the prophet Isaiah [Isaiah 8:3]; Hulda [2Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22]; Noadiah [ Nehemiah 6:14]; Anna [Luke 2:36]; and the woman Jezebel of the church at Thyatira [Revelation 2:20]. #4 Deborah and Barak: Judges 4:1-5:31; 1Samuel 12:11; Hebrews 11:32 Major Events Period of Oppression Period of Rest Deborah = tribe of Ephraim.ï¿½ Barak = tribe of Naphtali; Assembling an army of 10,000 fromï¿½ tribes of Naphtali and Zebulunï¿½ defeated the Canaanites of Hazor on Mt Tabor. Canaanite Jabin king of Hazor and Sisera, general and vassal of Jabin.

20 years 40 years When the Israelites were oppressed by the Canaanite army of Jabin of Hazor and his general Sisera, they appealed to Deborah.ï¿½ She summoned Barak of Naphtali and in the name of Yahweh ordered him to raise an army of 10,000 men from the two northern tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali [from the region of the Galilee].ï¿½ï¿½ This is the same region where Jesus of Nazareth will raise His army of disciples to go into battle against the powers of Satan. Question: Barak is willing to lead the army of Israel but on what condition? Answer: He refuses to go unless Deborah accompanied him.ï¿½ Deborah agrees to lead the army with Barak [in Hebrew = lightening]. On Deborah's order the Israelites march into battle and defeat the Canaanites at the Battle of Kishon on Mt. Tabor.ï¿½ In celebration of the victory Deborah and Barak sing a victory song which is found in Judges 5:1-31.ï¿½ Modern scholars are unanimous in affirming the antiquity of this song.

Question: General Sisera escapes Deborah and Barak's army but how does he receive justice for his crimes?ï¿½ See Judges 5:24-27. Answer: He seeks refuge in the tent of Heber the Kenite whose wife Jael [Hebrew = Ya-el] is alone there.ï¿½ She crushes his head with a tent pen and a mallet: "She hammered Sisera, she crushed his head, she pierced his temple and shattered it." Question: Sisera was an enemy of "the promised seed" of Israel and therefore he is a "seed of the serpent."ï¿½ What prophesy is being fulfilled by Jael? Answer: Genesis 3:15 "I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring [seed] and hers [her seed].ï¿½ It [he, she, it] will bruise [crush] your head and you will strike its [he, she, it] heel." Question: In addition to "prophetess" what other title is Deborah given in Judges 5:7? Answer: "Mother of Israel".

Please read Judges 6:1-9:57: Gideon Defeats the Midianites. The Midianites were the people of Moses' wife Zipporah.ï¿½ Her father had been supportive of Israel's exodus from Egypt.ï¿½ Zipporah's father Jethro or Reuel was a Midianite priest [Exodus 18:1], and Hobab, the son of Reuel acted as guide to the Israelites through he desert from Sinai.ï¿½ Population pressures and other factors probably caused a shift in alliances.ï¿½ Midianite chieftains are mentioned as vassals of Sihon, king of Moab, in Joshua 13:21 and Midianite raids on Israelite territory were a scourge in the period of the Judges [see Judges chapters 6-8].

#5 Gideon: Judges 6:1-8:32; Hebrews 11:32 Major Events 7 years 40 years Gideon is called by "the Angel of Yahweh" to deliver his people from oppression.ï¿½ The first encounter between Gideon and Yahweh is somewhat amusing.ï¿½ Gideon seems to find Yahweh's greeting more annoying than complimentary, however, his name in Hebrew does mean "warrior"; Yahweh is calling the young man to "live up to" his name. Question: Gideon asks for a "sign" of assurance.ï¿½ What sign does Yahweh give him?ï¿½ See Judges 6:17; 21,22. Answer: As a sign his sacrifice is consumed by fire. Question: What does Gideon do to commemorate the event? Answer: He builds an altar and calls it Yahweh-shalom [Yahweh is peace]. Question: When Gideon in obedience to Yahweh destroyed his father's altar to Baal what did Gideon's father do?

Answer: He defends his son's actions and gives him a name change, which in Scripture always reflects a change of destiny.ï¿½ His name becomes Jerubbaal, meaning "Baal contends" or "Baal strives for" suggesting that Baal had no control over Gideon's action in destroying the altar of the false god. Question: Gideon asks Yahweh for another sign in Judges 6:36 to assure himself that Yahweh does intend to use him to lead Israel in victory against her enemies.ï¿½ What is the sign? Answer: He places a woolen fleece on the threshing-floor twice.ï¿½ First requesting that the fleece is dewy on the dry floor and a second time requesting the fleece be dry and dew on the ground.ï¿½ Yahweh honors his request.ï¿½ The introduction of the "threshing floor" will become significant; watch for passages in Scripture that make reference to a "threshing floor".ï¿½ In villages the threshing floor became the site of open civil court where justice was meted out.

In 1 Samuel 24:21 David will purchase the threshing floor of Araunah which will become the site of Yahweh's Temple, the place where the justice of Yahweh separates the just from the unjust. In Matthew 3:12 speaking of the Messiah, John the Baptist prophesizes: "His winnowing-fan is in his hand; he will clear his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out." [also see Luke 3:17]. Question: Why does Yahweh require Gideon to reduce the size of his army? Answer: The victory is Yahweh's--the army must rely solely on God to succeed.ï¿½ The number 300 probably reflects this fullness {3} and the perfection of order {10} of the number of men required by Yahweh. In Judges 8:22-24 the grateful Israelites urge Gideon to rule over them as King. Question: What is Gideon's response?

Answer: "Yahweh shall rule you." Question: It is unfortunate that we cannot simply remember Gideon in this act of obedience and faith. What serious error does Gideon make that will have serious consequences for the people? See Judges 8:27 Answer: He creates a golden cult object and uses it for divination.ï¿½ He may have intended it originally for the worship of Yahweh but the object clearly is a violation of the Covenant restrictions and becomes "a snare for Gideon and his family."ï¿½ Gideon's poor example also affects Israel for "all of Israel following his example, prostituted themselves..." [Judges 8:27]. Question: Is there a warning for us today in the selection of our leaders? Answer: Yes, you cannot separate politics from morality.ï¿½ A bad leader's example can effect generations. After Gideon's death Israel again prostituted itself in Baal worship.ï¿½ Judges 8:34 records that Israel offered worship to Baal-Berith.ï¿½ Baal-Berith or El-Berith was the Canaanite god of oaths and contracts who was especially venerated by Canaanite merchants.

The sin in Gideon's family becomes evident in the next generation when Abimelech, the son of Gideon and a Canaanite concubine who lived at Shechem, orchestrates a coup against the rule of the sons of Gideon.ï¿½ He convinces the citizens of Shechem, to whom he has a blood tie, to support him in his rebellion.ï¿½ He is successful and kills all of his brothers with the exception of Jotham [Judges 8:29-9:21].ï¿½ Abimelech is not a judge over Israel but is instead a usurper and an enemy of "the promised seed". Question: What is it about the death of Abimelech in Judges 9:50-57 that reminds us of the prophecy concerning God's judgment on the "seed of the serpent" in Genesis 3:15?

Answer: His head will be crushed by a woman.ï¿½ This judgment on Abimelech, the "seed of the serpent", is referenced by King David's general in 2 Samuel 11:21 and an earlier fulfillment of the prophecy is recalled in the experience of Sisera at the hand of Jael in Judges 4:21 and 5:25-27.ï¿½ These passages are a partial fulfillment of prophecy that prefigures the promised "seed of the woman" Jesus of Nazareth, who will crush the head of the serpent, Satan, when He will definitively conquer Satan in His death and resurrection-- defeating the powers of darkness, binding the powers of demonic forces, casting out and rendering Satan powerless [see Psalms 110:6; John 12:31-32; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 12:5-10; 20:1-13].ï¿½ Other Old Testament head-crushing references which recall the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 are found in 1Samuel 5:1-5; 17:49-

51; 2 Samuel 18:9; 20:21-22; Psalms 68:21; Habakkuk 3:13.

#6 Tola: Judges 10:1,2 18 years He judged Israel 6 years Question: Jephthah is best remembered for what foolish vow?ï¿½ What did his vow cost him?ï¿½ See Judges 11:30-40.

Answer: He vowed if Yahweh gave him victory over the Ammonites that the first thing to come out of the doors of his house when he returned would belong to Yahweh and would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.ï¿½ As a result of his foolish vow he sacrificed his daughter.ï¿½ This is a very troubling account.ï¿½ Some scholars have tried to explain the vow as one in which his daughter was to consecrate her virginity to Yahweh in a life of service but at this time there was no such consecration in Israelite religion.ï¿½ The question must also be raised as to why Jephthah would expect that an animal would exit his door rather than a slave or a kinsman or a kinswoman?ï¿½ One explanation may be that, raised by a Canaanite harlot mother he accepted human sacrifice as a religious practice.ï¿½ It is a warning that even someone called to perform a "work" of God can be led astray by false teachings.

#9 Ibzan: Judges 12:8-10 Judges Israel 8 years Please read Judges 13:1-16:31: Samson Defeats the Philistines The story of Samson is one of the great dramatic narratives of the Old Testament with all the romance and intrigue of a Hollywood drama.ï¿½ Unlike the stories of the other judges Samson's story covers the period of his life from birth to death.ï¿½ It is the story of a man called by God from the womb and given the gift of great physical strength, but a man who suffered from debilitating moral weakness.ï¿½ His excesses almost led to his complete defeat but enslaved and blinded he turned to God and was able to prevail against the Philistines, the enemy of Israel. Question: In Judges chapter 13 the Angel of Yahweh announces Samson's birth.ï¿½ He tells Samson's mother that her son is to be consecrated a Nazarite from the womb.ï¿½ What is a Nazarite?ï¿½ See Numbers chapter 6.

Answer: In Hebrew nezir means "consecrated" or "one set apart".ï¿½ï¿½ The regulations concerning a Nazarite under the Sinai Covenant are found in Numbers chapter 6 and include: Vow may be taken by a man or a woman Nazarite vow may be taken for life [as in the case of Samson and Samuel] or for a short but specific period of time Abstain from wine and fermented liquor Not to drink vinegar from wine or fermented liquor Not drink grape-juice or eat grapes or eat nothing that comes from the vine No razor will touch the head for the duration of the vow Will not go near a corpse during the period of the vow When the period of the vow is complete the Nazarite will bring an unblemished yearling lamb as a burnt offering and an unblemished yearling ewe lamb as a sacrifice for sin, an unblemished ram as a peace offering/communion sacrifice along with a basket of unleavened loaves and unleavened wafers spread with oil, with the cereal offerings and libations appropriate to them.

The Nazarate will upon completion of the vow shave off his hair and place it on Yahweh's altar in the fire of the communion sacrifice.ï¿½ It was in this way that a man or woman could consecrate themselves to Yahweh.ï¿½ And in the case of a man who was not of the hereditary priesthood, this was a way for him to offer himself in lifelong service to Yahweh.ï¿½ According to tradition James, the kinsman of Jesus and first Christian bishop of Jerusalem was a Nazarite. Question: What was unique about Samson's nazarite commitment?

Answer: Yahweh Himself called Samson to be a Nazarite from the womb.ï¿½ His mother was forbidden to drink any wine and was required to stay in a state of ritual cleanliness [Judges 13:4], "For the boy is to be God's nazarite from his mother's womb to his dying day." Question: This Scriptural evidence that a child's life may be destined for greatness by God from the womb of his mother has serious consequences for modern 21st century society.ï¿½ How many future doctors with the cures for terrible diseases and how many men and women gifted with other great blessings, how may ordinary human beings called into the covenant family have been murdered in the womb through abortion before ever having the opportunity the realize those God given gifts? #12 Samson Judges Israel 20 years Please read Judges 17:1-21:25: The Decline of Faith in Israel The era of the Judges was a time of increasingly instability and moral degeneration.

Scripture describes it as a period when "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" [Judges 17:6].ï¿½ Even though there were Judges of great faith and moral courage like Deborah there were also many weak judges.ï¿½ The moral and spiritual decline of the people was reflected in their judges.

Without sound leadership the people often turned to idolatry instead of remaining faithful to the Covenant formed with Yahweh.ï¿½ Judges like Gideon who at first faithfully acted to stamp out idol worship later became lax to the point of even promoting idolatry in their own families.ï¿½ The further the generations of Israel were separated from the miracles of the Exodus experience the more they forgot their Covenant with Yahweh and the more they slipped into sin.ï¿½ The tribe of Benjamin refuses to offer justice in a case of a brutal murder by protecting the criminals instead of turning them over to the other tribes for justice.ï¿½ï¿½ This moral outrage and the resulting civil war nearly produced the annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin.ï¿½ The sins of idolatry, immorality and warring among themselves brought the Children of Israel to a condition similar to the immoral practices of the Canaanites they were commanded to destroy.ï¿½ The account of the Age of the Judges ends with the statement: "In those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did as he saw fit." [Judges 21:25].

Questions for discussion: How would you judge the condition of society today?ï¿½ Does the world yield in obedience to God's sovereignty or in these days "does everyone do as he/see sees fit" judging morality according to one's own conscience?ï¿½ What about Christian Churches who claim to be God's Covenant people but disregard the teachings of Sacred Scripture and Tradition like Israel claimed to be God's Covenant people in the last years of the Judges Biblical time period?ï¿½ Does a Covenant people have an obligation to be obedient to the Law of God or should they be swayed by the moral judgments of the time in which they live?ï¿½ How does moral relativism link us to the sin of our original parents?ï¿½ In an age that accepts the sacrifice of infants to the gods of selfishness and convenience should the Catholic Church adjust her morality to fit "the signs of the times?" Resources and recommended readings: My Period - What’s Normal, What’s Not My Period - What’s Normal, What’s Not Recommended 9 Times Recommend This Share this: x YOU'RE NOW LEAVING TAMPAX.COM We recommend you review the third-party site’s privacy policy, as their privacy practices may differ from P&G.

Any personal information you provide on the third-party’s website will be managed in accordance with their privacy policy. Thank you for visiting Tampax.com Please click the link below to My Period - What’s Normal, What’s Not THERE ARE (#) ERRORS ON THIS PAGE. YOUR NAME CONTINUE My Period Information It’s that time of the month...or so you thought. So why am I not getting my period? Your friends brag about how their period arrives like clockwork, coming every four weeks. They don’t understand how it feels to not have a clue when your red letter day is due to arrive. If their cycle is what’s called regular or normal, what’s my period called? Not normal? Before you get concerned that something is amiss, keep in mind we don’t believe there's anything irregular about you at all. To better understand your period’s comings and goings, you just need some more information! It can’t be news that you are different from every other girl in the world. Your periods and menstrual cycles will be different too. Some of your friends feel it coming for days before they get it. Others are hardly aware they have it. Some might bleed for two days one month, and a week the next.

In reality, most women don’t get their periods in exactly the same number of days after the last one. For teens, especially, there is a much broader definition of normal. Just as the age you begin to menstruate varies, so does the length of each period. A cycle can be as short as 21 days or as long as 35 days. At some point, as you grow, your light and unpredictable cycle will settle into a recognizable pattern. You can even predict it with a period tracker . My Period Facts During the first year or two of having periods, "irregular" falls within the "normal" tent! Two out of three girls develop a regular pattern within two years after their period begins. So, within the first couple of years, it is not unusual to skip a period. Be aware that if you participate in sports that require long hours of practice, or are active in strenuous workouts like gymnastics or ballet, you may see less bleeding and/or shorter or less frequent periods. If you are dieting so strictly you’re not getting the calories you need, you’re denying your body the fat it needs to menstruate regularly.

And if you’re really worried about an upcoming test...or distressed about a fight with a friend...or concerned about the health of a family member...your unique take on any of these stressors can affect the regularity of your period. My Period: Things to Look Out For See a doctor if you: Are 16 and haven’t gotten your period yet. Get periods that last longer than seven days for three cycles. Experience a dramatic change from your typical periods. Miss your period for six months straight. Are passing large clots. Are soaking through your pad or tampon hourly for two or more hours. Are bleeding between menstrual periods. Have pelvic pain for longer than a day that seems unrelated to your period. Have severe pain while you’re menstruating unrelieved by OTC medication. Are sexually active and missed a period. RELATED PRODUCTS Problem of the Month December's Problem a Emma rides her bike for 20 minutes at an average rate of 45 kilometers per hour. She then travels twice as far as before for the rest of the trip, which takes another 30 minutes. What is her average rate of speed for the entire trip?

a METHOD 1: Find the Totals: The entire solution should use consistent units of measurement: km, hours, and km/h. At 45 km/h Emma travels 15 km in 1/3 h. The rest of the trip is therefore 30 km and takes 1/2 h. Her total distance is 45 km and her total time is 1/3 + 1/2 = 5/6 h. Thus, her average rate of speed for the entire trip is 45 ï¿½ 5/6 = 54 km/h. METHOD 2: Make a table: A good way to see this is to set up a table as shown below, using the formula Rate ï¿½ Time = Distance. The shaded boxes contain the results of the computations, multiplying across and adding down. We see that the rate for the entire trip is 54 km/h. a a a November's Problem a Megan has four discount coupons that she can use. Their values are $8, $13, $17, and $22. How many different amounts can she save by using one or more of these four coupons?

a METHOD 1: Make a table: Prepare four lists, according to the number of coupons selected and see that there are 14 different amounts. (Note: Each time you choose three coupons, you omit the fourth coupon. There are only four ways that one coupon can be omitted. Using this gives you a faster way to find the number of 3-coupon amounts.) METHOD 2: Use the Counting Principle: Megan must use either zero or one $8-coupon. That is 2 possibilities. Similarly, there are 2 possible amounts using the $13-coupon ($0 or $13), 2 possible amounts using the $17-coupon ($0 or $17), and 2 possible amounts using the $22-coupon ($0 or $22). Together, there are 2 ï¿½ 2 ï¿½ 2 ï¿½ 2 = 16 different sums that can be made. However, this includes both $0 and the two ways to make $30. Thus, there are 14 different sums that can be made using at least one coupon.

a a a Eric Liddell Bio, Stats, and Results | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com Medals: 1 Gold, 1 Bronze (2 Total) Biography After showing brilliant promise as an all-round sportsman at Elthiam College, Eric Liddell won international honors at rugby football and athletics when he went up to Edinburgh University. Born in China in the aftermath of the Boxer rising, Liddell first entered the Scottish Championships as a 19-year-old in 1921 and scored the first of his five successive victories in the 100 yards and the 200 yards and the 220 yards. He also won the 440 yards in 1924 and 1925. At the AAA Championships, Liddell won the 100 yards and 200 yards in 1923 and the 440 yards in 1924. His time of 9.7 seconds for 100 yards in 1923 stood as a British record for 35 years.

Liddell won seven caps on the wing for Scotland, the first of which came against France at the Stade Colombes which was also the venue for his Olympic triumph, and scored four tries for his country. He gave up rugby for 1923-24 season in order to concentrate on his Olympic preparation. He opened the 1924 traction season with a brief visit to America in April, where he finished second in the 200 yards and fourth in the 100 yards at the Penn Relays. When the program was announced for the Paris Olympic Games, Liddell immediately forsook any idea of running the 100 metres as the preliminaries were scheduled to be held on a Sunday. Following this decision, he naturally chose to use the AAA Championships as a final tune-up for the two events on which he had set his adjusted Olympic sights. He won the 440 yards, finished second behind the South African [Howard Kinsman] in the 220 yards and then went to Paris for the Olympic Games.

After wining a bronze medal in the 200 metres, he improved his personal best by more than one second in the semi-finals of the 400 metres. In a classic final, Liddell, drawn in the outside lane, set a devastating pace, which with head back and arms flailing he somehow managed to maintain to the tape, coming home in 47.6 seconds for a new Olympic, European and British record. Back at Stamford Bridge after the Games for the British Empire vs. USA match, Liddell again ran inside 48 seconds as he made up six yards on the Olympic silver medalist [Horatio Fitch] in the 4×440 yards relay. After the 1924 track season, Liddell spent an increasing amount of time on his religious duties and after winning three events in the 1925 Scottish Championships he returned to China to join his father as a missionary. He did not give up athletics completely and in 1929 at a meeting in Tientsin, he ran 49.1 seconds to beat the celebrated German runner [Otto Peltzer] over 400 metres.

Peltzer pressed Liddell to train for the 800 metres at the 1932 Olympic Games, but Liddell ran his last race in 1930 when he won the North China Championship. Over the next decade, Liddell devoted all his energies to the Church and became a legend in the London Missionary Society, but in March 1943 he was interned in a Japanese concentration camp. The privations suffered in camp took their toll of even the fittest and Eric Liddell died in captivity at the age of 43. Although partly fictionalized, the film [Chariots of Fire] is a fitting tribute to this memorable man. Personal Bests\: 100y – 9.7 (1923); 220y – 21.6 (1923); 400 – 47.6 (1924). Results

Question: An Olympiad is a period of how many successive years?
Answer: Four